August 2011 Volume 10 Issue 8
Mark Your Calendar! Bright Choices Informational Seminars Chamber of Commerce Jamestown Office 512 Falconer Street Tuesday, August 9 5:30pm Dunkirk Office 10785 Bennett Road Wednesday, August 10 5:30pm
Annual Chamber Golf Tournament Thursday, September 1 Tri-County Country Club 540 Route 39, Forestville
Bright Choices Open Enrollment Meetings Jamestown Wednesday, September 28 7:30-9:00am or 5:30-7:00pm Dunkirk Thursday, September 29 7:30-9:00am or 5:30-7:00pm
Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet Thursday, October 6 Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center, Mayville
www.chautauquachamber.org Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce ■■■
10785 Bennett Road Dunkirk NY 14048 716-366-6200
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512 Falconer Street Jamestown NY 14701 716-484-1101
Babe Ruth Baseball Boosts Business Chautauqua County will once again play host to a Babe Ruth World Series in August. While the event provides fun and entertainment, it is also an economic driver for many businesses in our region. Since 1980, Jamestown has hosted fifteen Babe Ruth World Series events. Kimberly Ecklund, Public Relations Division Director, said the series costs over $30,000 to put on each year, but the economic impact of that is at least tripled. “We work hard to do all business locally, including everything from printing programs and catering for the banquet,” she said. “This is a huge undertaking, and we have tremendous community and volunteer support, so we work to give back to the community whenever possible.” Visiting team members stay with host families, and while their main focus during their stay is baseball, each team gets a “bye” day and they often visit local tourist attractions and entertainment venues as well. “We have had host families take teams on the Summer Wind and the Chautauqua Belle, play mini-golf, go bowling, visit Bemus Point, Chautauqua Institution, the Lucy-Desi museum, and many other attractions,” Mrs. Ecklund said. And it’s not just the players and host families. The teams almost always bring along their own fan base as well. “Family members come to support the teams. They stay in our hotels, eat at local restaurants, shop at local stores, and visit our local attractions.” Mrs. Ecklund added. “This is really a tremendous economic boost.”
The 13-15 Year Old Babe Ruth World Series begins with a parade in downtown Jamestown at 9:00am Saturday, August 20, followed by opening ceremonies at 11:00am at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park, where all of the games will be played. Games are scheduled afternoons and evenings through the Championship game on August 27. Teams in the American Division will represent the Ohio Valley, Southwest, Midwest Plains, Pacific Southwest, and Western New York State Champions. National Division teams will represent New England, Southeast, Middle Atlantic, Pacific Northwest, and the Jamestown Host Team. “There is another component to this event besides the economic boost,” Mrs. Ecklund added. “These young people who come here to stay and play baseball have lasting memories and forge long-term relationships with the people of our area. It truly brings people together, and that value goes beyond the dollars that local businesses are earning.” Anyone who is still interested in being a host family or volunteering in any way can contact Mrs. Ecklund at 664-0405 or by email at kimberlyecklund@yahoo.com.